Automatic intermittent break-up device

ABSTRACT

An automatic intermittent break-up device repeatedly movable toward the center of the fluid stream exiting a nozzle to a first position to increase the break-up of the stream and movable away from the center of the fluid stream exiting the nozzle to a second position to decrease the break-up. The increased break-up sequence of operation provides a more desired distribution of fluid on the surface area. The intermittent break-up device includes an adjustable break-up member or screw. The member is connected to an automatic mechanism of an irrigation device to drive the member into the first position when the irrigation device delivers fluid over a particular area of the ground and drives the member into the second position when the irrigation device subsequently delivers fluid over the said particular area of the ground.

United States Patent Lockwood 1 Oct. 16, 1973 AUTOMATIC INTERMITTENTBREAK-UP 21 Appl. No.: 243,007

[52] U.S. Cl. 239/230, 239/231 [51] Int. Cl B05b 3/08 [58] Field ofSearch 239/230, 231, 232, 239/233 [5 6] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 3,623,666 11/1971 Meyer 239/230 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS1,076,772 10/1954 France 239/231 324,116 8/1957 Switzerland 239/230Primary Examiner-M. Henson Wood, Jr. Assistant Examiner-Michael Y. MarAttorney-Eugene F. Malin [57] ABSTRACT An automatic intermittentbreak-up device repeatedly movable toward the center of the fluid streamexiting a nozzle to a first position to increase the break-up of thestream and movable away from the center of the fluid stream exiting thenozzle to a second position to decrease the break-up. The increasedbreak-up sequence of operation provides a more desired distribution offluid on the surface area. The intermittent break-up device includes anadjustable break-up member or screw. The member is connected to anautomatic mechanism of an irrigation device to drive the member into thefirst position when the irrigation device delivers fluid over aparticular area of the ground and drives the member into the secondposition when the irrigation device subsequently delivers fluid over thesaid particular area of the ground.

7 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures AUTOMATIC INTERMITTENT BREAK-UP DEVICEBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a new and improvedautomatic break-up device, and more particularly, to a break-up devicemovable in the stream to a first position to increase the break-up ofthe stream exiting a nozzle when the irrigation device delivers fluidover a particular area of ground, and movable away from the firstposition to decrease the break-up of the stream when the irrigationdevice subsequently delivers fluid over the said particular area ofground.

In the past, break-up screws fixed to a sprinkler device have been usedto provide a fixed distribution pattern. Break-up screws are providedfor sprinkler heads because of the inability of the basic head andnozzle to distribute water in a desired pattern. Also, movable break-updevices connected to the drive arm of a rotating sprinkler have beendesigned to rapidly move into and out of a stream exiting the nozzleeach time the sprinkler head is moved in a step-by-step movementf BRIEFDESCRIPTION OF ONE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION The automatic adjustablebreak-up device includes a break-up member connected to an automaticdrive mechanism for intermittently driving a break-up member toward thecenter line of the fluid stream exiting the nozzle and thereafterdriving the break-up member away from the center line of the fluidstream exiting the nozzle to a second position. The break-up device ismovable into the first position to increase break-up of the stream whilethe irrigation device distributes fluid over a given area of ground andsubsequently movable into the second position away from the center ofthe stream to decrease breakup while the irrigation device distributesfluid over said given area of ground. The total distribution pattern onsaid area of ground is the sum of the increased break-up distributionand the decreased break-up distribution.

In one embodiment illustrating the invention, the irrigation headincludes a base fixed to the fluid supply system, a rotatable stem withone end connected to the base, a nozzle connected to the stem and amovable vane driven hammer movably connected to the stem. The hammer isdriven by the exiting stream of fluid from the nozzle and in turn drivesthe stem and nozzle in clockwise and counterclockwise movement. Theirrigation head includes a reversing mechanism movable from a firstposition to a second position to alter the direction of rotation of thestem and nozzle. The adjustable break-up device includes a break-upmember connected to the moving reversing mechanism to position thebreak-up device in the first position to increase break-up distributionover a particular ground area and to subsequently position the break-updevice in the second position to decrease break-up distribution over thesaid particular ground area in order to provide a more desirabledistribution pattern.

It is an object of this invention to irrigate automatically first withan unbroken stream and then with a broken stream of fluid in arepetitive manner.

Another object of this invention is to increase the break-up of a streamdistributed over one area of ground and subsequently decrease thebreak-up of the stream distributed over the same area of ground.

Another object of this invention is to provide a break-up memberautomatically moved toward and away from the line center of the streamexiting nozzle without affecting the speed of movement of the nozzle.

It is another object of this invention to provide a plurality of fluiddistribution patterns for an irrigation means by automatically moving abreak-up member relative to a stream exiting a nozzle when fluid issubsequently distributed over one area of ground.

A further object of this invention is to provide a break-up membermovable relative to the exiting stream of a nozzle each time a sprinklerhead reverses the direction of movement of the nozzle. 7

In accordance with these and other objects which will be apparenthereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with particularreference to the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an impact arm type sprinkler device showing theautomatic break-up device in one break-up position and illustrating asecond position in dotted lines; and

FIG. 2 is a top view of the sprinkler device as shown in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing andin particular to the embodiment of the invention as shown in FIGS. 1 and2, the rotary irrigation head 2 is illustrated as a reversing-impact armtype sprinkler. The irrigation head includes a base 4, a stem 6, nozzle8, reaction arm 10, a reversing mechanism 12, and an adjustable break-upmember or screw 14. The base 4 is threaded at one end for connecting thebase to a fluid distribution system. The stem 6 is rotatably connectedto the base 4 for rotational movement about the main vertical centerline. As illustrated in this particular embodiment, the stern and nozzleare driven by reaction arm 10. The reaction arm 10 is pivotablyconnected to the stem by pin 16 and biased in the direction of the arrowin FIG. 2 by return spring 18. The reaction arm 10 is driven by the exitstream 22 engaging the vane means 20. The reaction arm 10 includeshammer portions 24 and 26 which are driven against the anvil portion 28on the reversing mechanism 12 and the stem anvil portion 30 connected tothe stem. The hammer portion 26 strikes the anvil portion 30 to rotatethe stem in one direction and then hammer portion 24 strikes anvil 28 tocause rotation in the oppositedirection after the reversing mechanism 12moves anvil portion 28 into position.

The reversing mechanism 12 includes a movable body portion 32 with anvil28 at one end of the body portion and the adjustable break-up screw 14connected to the opposite end of the body portion. The stem 6 is drivenin one direction with the reversing mechanism in one position as shownin FIG. 1 by the solid lines, and the stem is thereafter driven in theopposite direction with the reversing mechanism in a second position asillustrated in FIG. 1 by the dotted lines. The reversing mechanism isactuated by the engagement of projecting member 34 engaging boundarylimiting members 36 connected to the base 4. When the body portion 32 isin the position shown by solid lines in FIG. 2 the break-up screw 14 isin position to engage the stream exiting nozzle 8. The adjustablebreak-up screw 14 continues to break up the stream during the completehalf cycle of movement of the stem and nozzle. The reversing mechanism12 and body portion 32 rotate with the stem 6. The distribution patternis changed when the movement of the stem and nozzle are reversed. Theprojecting member 34 engages a boundary limiting member 38 and moves thebody portion 32 into the position illustrated by dotted lines in FIG. 1.The stream is unbroken when the body portion is in the positionillustrated by the dotted lines.

This invention overcomes the inability of the nozzle to vary the streambreak-up pattern. Also this invention utilizes the desirablecharacteristics of the uninterrupted stream exiting the nozzle. Both theuninterrupted stream characteristics and the interrupted streamcharacteristics are utilized to provide a more desirable overalldistribution pattern.

It should be noted that this invention may be connected to other typesof well known reversing sprinkler heads. Also the adjustable break-upmember may be placed on turbine driven sprinkler head. The adjustablebreak-up member may be driven by an automatic shift mechanism driven bythe rotating head or the turbine drive.

The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what isconsidered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It isrecognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within thescope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to aperson skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. An automatic intermittent stream break-up means for an irrigationdevice with an exit nozzle comprising:

a break-up member connected to the irrigation device, said break-upmember movable into a first position placing at least a portion of thebreak-up member in the path of the fluid stream that exits the nozzlethereby causing continuous breakup of the fluid stream of the irrigationdevice when the fluid stream sweeps a distribution area, said breakupmember movable into a second position such that the break-up membercauses less continuous break up of the fluid stream that exits thenozzle of the irrigation device when the fluid stream sweeps thedistribution area, and

an automatic mechanism connected to the break-up member for moving thebreak-up member from said first position to said second position.

2. An automatic intermittent stream break-up device for an irrigationdevice with an exit nozzle, as set forth in claim 1 wherein,

said automatic mechanism alternately moves the break-up member from saidfirst position to said second position.

3. An automatic intermittent stream break-up device for an irrigationdevice with an exit nozzle, as set forth in claim 2 wherein,

said automatic mechanism alternately and repetitively moves the break-upmember from said first position to said second position.

4. An automatic intermittent stream break-up device for an irrigationdevice with an exit nozzle, as set forth in claim 2 including,

an oscillating irrigation device including an oscillating nozzle.

5. An automatic intermittent stream break-up device for an irrigationdevice with an exit nozzle, as set forth in claim 4 wherein,

said irrigation device including a reversing mechanism,

said break-up member connected to said oscillating nozzle and,

said automatic mechanism connected to said reversing mechanism to changethe position of said break-up member.

6. An automatic intermittent stream break-up device for an irrigationdevice with an exit nozzle, as set forth in claim 2 including,

a rotating irrigation device with a turbine drive.

7. An automatic intermittent stream break-up device for an irrigationdevice with an exit nozzle, as set forth in claim 6 wherein,

said break-up member connected to said turbine drive in said irrigationdevice, and

said automatic mechanism connected to said turbine drive to change theposition of said break-up member.

1. An automatic intermittent stream break-up means for an irrigationdevice with an exit nozzle comprising: a break-up member connected tothe irrigation device, said break-up member movable into a firstposition placing at least a portion of the break-up member in the pathof the fluid stream that exits the nozzle thereby causing continuousbreakup of the fluid stream of the irrigation device when the fluidstream sweeps a distribution area, said break-up member movable into asecond position such that the break-up member causes less continuousbreak up of the fluid stream that exits the nozzle of the irrigationdevice when the fluid stream sweeps the distribution area, and anautomatic mechanism connected to the break-up member for moving thebreak-up member from said first position to said second position.
 2. Anautomatic intermittent stream break-up device for an irrigation devicewith an exit nozzle, as set forth in claim 1 wherein, said automaticmechanism alternately moves the break-up member from said first positionto said second position.
 3. An automatic intermittent stream break-updevice for an irrigation device with an exit nozzle, as set forth inclaim 2 wherein, said automatic mechanism alternately and repetitivelymoves the break-up member from said first position to said secondposition.
 4. An automatic intermittent stream break-up device for anirrigation device with an exit nozzle, as set forth in claim 2including, an oscillating irrigation device including an oscillatingnozzle.
 5. An automatic intermittent stream break-up device for anirrigation device with an exit nozzle, as set forth in claim 4 wherein,said irrigation device including a reversing mechanism, said break-upmember connected to said oscillating nozzle and, said automaticmechanism connected to said reversing mechanism to change the positionof said break-up member.
 6. An automatic intermittent stream break-updevice for an irrigation device with an exit nozzle, as set forth inclaim 2 including, a rotating irrigation device with a turbine drive. 7.An automatic intermittent stream break-up device for an irrigationdevice with an exit nozzle, as set forth in claim 6 wherein, saidbreak-up member connected to said turbine drive in said irrigationdevice, and said automatic mechanism connected to said turbine drive tochange the position of said break-up member.